This paper by Argent et al. (2025) examines differences in environmental knowledge between local Traditional Custodians and non-Aboriginal scientists, as well as the potential for integrating these river management perspectives in Australian freshwater environments. Additionally, the authors generated a case study to help non-Aboriginal scientists understand the first steps of this process. They were heartened by the mutual respect and cooperation shown during the Toorale conversation and believe it should inspire hope for future joint research and advancements for Aboriginal people.  

‘Western and Indigenous science alone can most likely not solve the issues we are now trying to deal with in the Murray-Darling Basin, but together there may be hope’ – Dr Gavin Butler 

Read the full paper here.